Kirby Group Engineering has made a festive donation of €100,000 to be shared among three charities as Christmas draws closer. Focus Ireland, which helps people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless has received €50,000 while Women’s Aid, which works to end domestic violence against women and children and UNICEF, which helps children around the world have each received €25,000.

This is the second year in a row in which the Irish firm has made a donation of this amount and continues the firm’s longstanding tradition of supporting those in need. Group Managing Director Mark Flanagan says it’s an important feature of their calendar: “We’ve come through another very difficult year in Ireland in 2021 and this is a good opportunity for Kirby to support some of those who’ve felt the tough times the most. We’re proud to play our part in helping three fantastic charities doing great work in Ireland and around the world.”

Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Focus Ireland, Amy Carr said: “Focus Ireland are delighted and very grateful to receive the donation of €50,000 from Kirby Group. Kirby has been long standing supporters to Focus Ireland and this Christmas the impact of this gift will be keenly felt by those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Over the next months, this donation will ensure up to 30 families will receive the expert support they need to exit homelessness for good. I don’t think there is a greater gift you can give this festive season. From all of us here in Focus Ireland, and on behalf of the families we support, a big thank you.”

CEO of Women’s Aid, Sarah Benson said, “We are sincerely grateful to Kirby Group for this incredibly generous donation to Women’s Aid, which will help to provide a vital range of practical wrap-around supports for women who are experiencing domestic abuse and violence. Demand for Women’s Aid’s services has never been higher, so this significant donation will ensure we can reach more women with our vital, life-changing services. Thank you so much to all at Kirby.”

UNICEF Ireland’s Executive Director, Peter Power said, “UNICEF greatly appreciates the Kirby Group for its ongoing support of our work for children. As the pandemic continues to impact the lives of children, and their families, around the world, this generous donation of €25,000 allows UNICEF to support the most vulnerable. UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories, and as long time supporters of UNICEF’s work, the Kirby Group continues to help us defend the rights of every child, every day, across the globe.”

The Christmas donation follows contributions worth a further €160,000 from Kirby to local, national and international charities during 2021, including Galway Hospice, Pieta House, Alone, ReSurge Africa and The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. In addition to donations made by Kirby, the company employees organised numerous events raising additional funds for various charitable organisations. Mark Flanagan paid tribute to the fundraising efforts made by Kirby team members during the year: “People is our number one core value at Kirby and the efforts made by our team to support those in need symbolise that so well. It’s been a busy year for the company and it’s wonderful to see how our team has still made time to help others”.